It's not like his political connections will prevent him from securing some cushy desk job well behind the front lines where the real soldiers are.
As with most pols-in-uniform, presumably his age would keep him out of any combat job. That's good, btw. I've no objection to politicians trying to set an example but they should be placed where they can't do any real harm. Strom may have talked his way onto a glider on D-Day, but as a general rule, ticket-punching pols don't belong in combat command. Put 'em in administration where they can free up one of the professionals and thank 'em for their time.
Besides, the story says Sanford is an Air Force reservist. Unless he's a pilot, he won't be in harm's way under any circumstances other than the possible stray Scud. I can understand that he'd not want to give up the governorship to go fly a desk somewhere, but them's the breaks.